Margaret Peggy Hackney

Margaret "Peggy" Hackney

2-27-1932 to 8-26-2008

Peggy was born and grew up in the Washington DC area, daughter of Vincent P Stecher and Ruby L (Thomas) Stecher, sister to older brother William "Bill" Stecher. After finishing high school she went to work for AT&T, remaining with them for several years until motherhood intervened. 1n 1956 she became reacquainted with an old friend of her brother's, Ivan Eugene "Gene" Hackney, then recently out of the Air Force and visiting family at his childhood Washington DC home. They married in 1957 and moved to New Orleans where Gene was a draftsman for Gulf Oil. On November 7, 1958 their only child, Walter Scott Hackney was born.

Peggy was gifted in creative handcrafts and was a popular and active neighborhood mom, volunteering as "room mother" and active in PTA and neighborhood causes. When Walt joined the Cub Scouts in 1966 Peggy also "joined" serving as Den Mother and Den Leader Coach. Peggy remained active in scouting for many years serving on the training staff and district council, and as chairperson of the annual "Pow Wow" training event several times. She received numerous awards for her service including two "Silver Fawn" awards as top Cub Scout volunteer in the New Orleans Area Council.

In 1974 a job transfer moved the family to the Denver, Colorado area, taking residence in the Walnut Hills neighborhood at 7442 E Costilla Ave. in the Denver suburb of Englewood. Peggy again became active in Cub Scouting in the Denver area.

With life's changes and an empty home Peggy and Gene drifted apart, separating then divorcing in 1985, though they remained cordial until Gene's passing in 1991. Peggy remained in the family home. In 1988 Peggy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and her physical health slowly deteriorated, though she remained always mentally sharp. By 1998 the disease had progressed to a degree that Peggy required full time care and moved into a nursing facility. With her tenacity and mental awareness she was a favorite of many of her caregivers.

Peggy was hospitalized on 8-21-2008 with pneumonia and went to be with the Lord Jesus on 8-26-2008 peacefully with her son and daughter in law at her side.

Peggy is survived by her son Walter, his wife Sharon, Sharon's daughter Robin Autobee, her husband Michael and their daughters Amanda and Samantha.


Graveside services will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens (6601 South Colorado Blvd) on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.